The Union Makes Us Strong: Radical Unionism on the San Francisco Waterfront

ISBN-13: 9780521629683 / Angielski / Miękka / 1997 / 388 str.

David T. Wellman

Opis

This book challenges the notion that American labor history is a history of defeated militant unionism. Focusing on the routine work practices and political culture of San Francisco's longshore union, it argues that collective bargaining does not eliminate contests over shopfloor control. The collectively bargained contract is shown to be a bargain that reflects and reproduces fundamental disagreement between management and labor. It creates the parameters within which production and conflict proceed.

Recenzje

"Wellman writes in a clear and concise style and his descriptions of the union hall meetings and workplace culture are a joy to read. The author is sensitive to the language and physical communication among the longshoremen, and whenever possible he allows the workers to speak for themselves. He also offers some rare and detailed insights into the present-day conflicts of the maritime industry and everyday class struggle in the workplace." John F. Lyons, Science & Society

Spis treści

Preface; Notes on unpublished sources; Part I. Labour Radicalism Revisited: 1. Unsettling old scores: labour radicalism encounters conventional wisdom; 2. Sealing the fate of radical labour theoretically; 3. A framework for American unionism; Part II. Local Community and 'Tumultuous' Democracy: the Socio-Cultural Foundations of Unionism on the San Francisco Waterfront: 4. Political community on the San Francisco waterfront; 5. The structure of participationist politics; 6. Being political in Local 10; Part III. Unionism, Work and Technological Change: 7. Work, knowledge and control: conventional longshoring; 8. Work, knowledge and control: containerised longshoring; 9. 'Doing the right thing': working principles and codes of conduct; Part IV. Waging the Battle for Workplace Control on Contractual Terrain: 10. Who decides how to work?; 11. Which side's language shall govern?; 12. By whose principles will merit be rewarded?; Part V. Agreeing to Disagree: Being Defensibly Disobedient: 13. Translating troubles into grievable issues; 14. 'We essentially have no contract with you': keeping the agreement; 15. Constructing and maintaining the appearance of co-operation; Conclusion: Trade union exceptionalism or prefigurative politics?; Appendix: doing field research - an ethnographic account; References; Name index; Subject index.